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There are a lot of wonderful things about living in the Empire State, but the social and romantic opportunities are not among them. One analysis found that New York may be the third loneliest state in the country. There are a number of reasons for this and policymakers should be looking for ways to improve on it.

A growing number of people are looking for new ways to overcome loneliness in New York. One of the newest steps that some may have taken is using AI companions when they don't have anyone else to interact with.

What is an AI Relationship?

An AI relationship is a relationship between a human and an entity that is created with artificial intelligence. These entities are commonly referred to as AI companions, but they can be more specifically defined as either AI boyfriends or AI girlfriends for people who may want to use them for romantic relationships. Some people also have relationships with other types of AI entities:  therapists, priests, and even friends.

People can use generative AI tools to create visual images of their AI partner. This allows them to create an AI companion that may look like someone they could be attracted to. They may also customize the personality and other essential traits that mightl matter to them. One of the sites that allows people to do this with ease is . There are a number of other great sites that do something similar. You can find out more about them in the chart below.

AI companions use machine learning technology to get to know people better through repeated interactions. They may become better at understanding their human partners, which could help them create a more enjoyable experience.

AI Relationships Offer Hope to Lonely New Yorkers

Loneliness is a huge problem that is affecting people all over the United States. The former surgeon general even recently declared that the nation was in the midst of a ‘chronic loneliness’ epidemic.

Some surveys have found that a majority of all Americans may report feeling lonely a significant amount of the time. Less than a quarter of those surveyed in the state say that they have family near them and many also don't have many friends. The loneliness epidemic has gotten worse since the pandemic and recent economic challenges.

Therefore, it may not be surprising that so many people in New York have started using AI relationships. They may be helpful for some people struggling with loneliness.

What Are Some of the Benefits of AI Relationships in New York?

There are a number of reasons that people in New York may have started having relationships with AI companions. Some of the potential benefits are listed below.

AI Companions Might Help New Yorkers Who Are Neurodivergent

New York, like all states, is home to some who may be neurodivergent. According to some studies, there may be an estimated 300K+ people in the state who are on the autism spectrum. These people may tend to have a harder time making friends and getting into relationships, so they may be more interested in possibly using AI companions. 

Most neurodivergent people might rather try to find relationships with real people instead of AI companions in the long run. The good news is that they could use AI companions to work on their social skills, which might make that easier. 

AI Companions May Help People Avoid the New York dating scene

New York is home to some of the most prestigious and educated people in the world. This can seem like a great thing on the surface, since it means that people have a lot of amazing people to choose from. Unfortunately, this may actually the very reason that the dating scene in New York is so challenging for so many. It has resulted in what is called the paradox of choice. People usually believe that they can find someone better than the person that they are currently dating, so it may lead to lots of short-lived situationships and ghosting.

Of course, most people would probably want to find a real partner down the road, even if they don’t like the dating scene in NYC. But they might at least take a well-deserved break for a while by using their AI companion. This may help them have better mindsets when they return to the dating scene. 

AI Companions Are a Gift for People Working from Home

Another reason that so many people in New York may be struggling is that they might work from home. This is not surprising considering that the state is so highly educated and has a very vibrant financial and technology sector.

There are a lot of obvious upsides to working from home, such as saving money from commuting and avoiding dealing with crime. However, there may be trade-offs with working from home. One of the biggest downsides is that people might have a lot fewer social opportunities. This can also make it more difficult to find a romantic partner, because even today around a third of people end up in relationships with coworkers.

This may be another great reason that so many New Yorkers might want to use AI relationships. They could help people who are working from home who don't have many other social channels to make friends and romantic partners.

AI Companions Can Be Helpful But Should Be Used Wisely

There are a lot of great benefits of using AI companions if you are struggling to find a partner in New York. However, there may be some downsides to be aware of as well, which are listed below. 

You Need to Be Careful About Limiting the Time and Energy You Invest in AI Companions

There are a lot of reasons that many people use AI companions, and they can make you feel better when used sparingly. However, like with anything else, it is possible to get addicted to them. You have to put limits on the amount of time you rely on them, so that you don’t end up isolating yourself from everyone else in your life. 

You Have to Be Very Careful to Make Sure They Are a Positive Rather than a Negative Influence on Your Views on Relationships

AI companions may have the power to help you develop more wholesome views on relationships. But they might also have the opposite effect if you aren’t careful. You need to be mindful about how you use these tools and make sure that they help you form positive mindsets so that you will be a good partner for others. Sadly, some people may not be using them responsibly, which may harm their future relationships when they develop toxic habits. 

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The links contained in this product review may result in a small commission at no additional cost to you if you opt to purchase the product recommended. This goes towards supporting the advertiser's research team who are committed to only recommending high-quality products. Amber Smith is an award-winning ghostwriter who focuses on AI and health technology.